Ninth Inning Heroics Propel Gauchos Past Anteaters, 8-7

IRVINE, Calif. -
UC Santa Barbara scored five runs in the top of the ninth to erase a four-run deficit and went on to hand UC Irvine an 8-7 defeat Saturday at Anteater Ballpark. The loss snapped a four-game win streak for the Anteaters as they fell to 23-17 overall and 4-7 in league action. The Gauchos improved to 16-19 overall and 3-5 in the Big West.

In the ninth, UCSB first baseman Robbie Blauer and pinch hitter Clayton Shank led off the inning with a single and a double to put runners in scoring position. A sacrifice fly by Matt Emerick yielded a run. Patrick Rose and Austin Hogans followed with a pair of singles and Shank would score on Hogan's RBI hit. Pinch hitter Chris Webber was hit by the pitch to load the bases and Alden Carrithers hit a single to center to drive in two runs and tie the game. Pinch hitter A.J. Knox hit a sharp single through the left side and Carrithers beat the throw to the plate to score the eventual game-winning run.

In the UC Irvine ninth with two outs, two hit batsmen put the tying and go-ahead runs on base for the Anteaters. However, Gaucho reliever Justin Segal recovered to strike out Gary Dudrey to end the game. Segal was credited with the win to improve to 4-2 after giving up an unearned run on a hit and striking out four in three innings of work. Starter Jeff Braun was tagged for four runs on seven hits in the no-decision.

UCI starter Scott Gorgen pitched eight innings, striking out six and giving up three runs on five hits. Reliever Dylan Axelrod allowed three runs on three hits in 1/3 inning and freshman Kyle Necke yielded a run in the ninth. Senior Glenn Swanson fell to 4-4 after giving up the eventual game-winning run on two hits in 2/3 innings.

Offensively, the Anteaters were led by Chad Lundahl, who was 4 for 5 with two RBI and two runs scored. Jaime Martinez and Tyler Vaughn each drove in a run and added a hit for the Anteaters.

Carrithers, Chris Valaika and Hogans drove in two runs apiece to lead the Gauchos.

UCSB and UCI will complete this three-game series on Sunday at 1 p.m. Junior Bryan Fleming is expected to be on the mound for the Gauchos.